Reef-alarm for ships.



11"lIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIHHI IIIIYHIHIHIII ll llllllllllll IIIHIHIIHHI L L. KERCHEYL REEF ALARM FOR SHIPS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26, 1917.

Patented Nova 27, 191?.

JOHN L. KERCHEY, 0F SCHAGHTIGOKE, NEW YORK.

REEF-ALARM FOB SHIPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2'3, i913.

Application filed February 26, 1917. Serial No. 151,047.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JO N L. KERCHEY, a subject of the King of Hungary, residing at Schaghticoke, R. F. D. l, in the county of Rensselaer and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reef-Alarms for Ships, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in reef alarm for ships.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of an attachment for ships, such as war vessels, whereby signals are operated selectively when the vessel approaches a reef.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a resilient bufler means for ships adapted for engaging a reef or any object which is approached sufliciently near to be dangerous, the device being resilient and adapted upon engagement to sound an audible alarm upon the vessel denoting the approximate position of the reef or obstruction.

With these general objects in view, the device consists of the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, as well as illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which like reference characters' designate corresponding parts through the several views, and

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a ship provided with the present device.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, and

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the switchboard mechanism designed for arrangement upon the ship.

Referring-more in detail to the drawing, the device is herein illustrated in connection with the ship 10 having a hull 11 to which bufier engaging blocks 12, of any suitable form, are connected by means of resilient arms 13, it being understood that each de vice consisting of a plate 12 and arm 13 is complete in itself having separate signal connections, said devices being herein designated A, B and C respectively.

The spring arm connectors 13 are of substantially I- shaped in form, normally slightly bent, whereby an engagement with the block 12 carried thereby produces a further bend in the carrying arm 13 thereby lessening the distance between the cross heads 14 and 15 thereof secured respectively to the hull 11 and block 12 of each device. Both the arms and blocks are formed of suitable metal which is unafi'ected by salt water, the arms 13 being preferably of spring steel while the plates 12 may be either formed of copper or may be copper-plated. The said plates are normally arranged substantially upon the level of the bottom or keel 16 of the ship while the devices A and C are secured to the hull 11 at opposite sides thereof while the device B is secured to the prow 17 it being understood that the blocks 15 of each device are arranged forwardly of the said prow.

A suitable mount, such as a switchboard 18, is arranged at any convenient point upon the vessel, having 3 electric bells designated 1, 2 and 3 being provided for the devices A, B and C respectively, the-said bells being adapted for operation selectively by the said devices upon the flexing of the corresponding arm 13 in the manner set forth.

A suitable switch-arm 19 is provided for each of the said bells while a cord 20 is arranged between each switch 19 and the outer end of the respective arm 13 as at 21,\a suitable opening 22 being provided through the hull 11 for each of the said cords while pulley wheels 23 may be arranged for the cords wherever desired.

The normal position of the arms 13 positions the cords 20 taut with the switcharms 19 out of engagement with the contacts 24 of the bells 1, 2 and 3 while each of said switch-arms is provided with an expansion spring 25 adapted to close each switch upon a slight release of its arm 19 by a loosening of its respective cord 20.

From this detailed description of the de vice, it will be understood that during the progress of the ship 10, one of the blocks 12 will engage any obstruction arranged forwardly of the ship whereby one of the arms 13 will be bent and consequently shortened in length which will slacken the cord 20 attached thereto, allowing the spring 25 of the switch-arm 19, which is attached to that particular cord, to close the switch of the adjacent bell thereby sounding an alarm. By noting which of the 3 bells is sounded, it will be at once apparent which of the blocks 12 has come in contact with the obstruction so that the position of the obstruction with respect to the prow .17 of the vessel will be at once apparent. It is understood that the bells 1, 2 and 3, as well as the switcharms 19 are of substantially the usual construction and are provided with a source of electrical supply such as batteries and conneetions which, being of the usual form, it is i A safety unnecessary to herein illustrate. appliance is arranged which ofi'ers little resistance to the operationof a ship provided therewith while the safety of the vessel is insured against contacting hidden obstructions-witli'out a previous, warning. I

- What I claim as new is: 7

In combination with a ship, resilient L shaped arms secured to the prow and at adjacent opposite points upon the hull of the tensed upon the ship, an electric bell for each arm attached to the said board, a closing switch for each bell, resilient'closing means for said switches and cord. connectionsbetweenthe '26 said switches and arms whereby. the switches are normally held in' their open positions.

In testimony whereof I affix my si JOHN KERO attire. v a 

